Card Down! Let's Fight! (June is Black Music Month)

Someone on Twitter in April asked,

"So, you dislike Boyz II Men & Keith Sweat. Which one would you choose in a One Has to Go round between those two?"

I stared at that question. Answered it. And decided in June aka Black Music Month to lay my Black Card down & choose violence by making a post about my most controversial Black Music viewpoints. I left the list to Ten & one bonus because I know there are minds out there that can't handle them & will be blown.

Soulful singing doesn't equate to actual singing. Keep the growling & runs to a minimum of 2 times a song. And give me total melodious notes & range.

"And I am Telling You" & "As We Lay" are disgusting songs. Jennifer Holiday & Shirley Murdock deserved to have been introduced to us with more positive tunes.

Lalah Hathaway is Underrated.

Keith Sweat's voice whines & begs.

Queen Latifah should do One more Non-Rap album. She can sing. The non-rap album was a cover album. An album of original songs would be nice. And if you never heard her Jazz album, Treat Yourself.

Fans who claim they don't want a broken man or woman don't listen to the words of Lenny Williams' "Cause I Love You". Truthfully, Fans just want to sing " Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Ohh". (It's also the reason why I don't take love advice from 66% of the people I know.)

Boyz to Men sound better when Micheal aka Bass was in the group.

Blues is just as vulgar as Rap & Hip Hop. 

Gap Band Charlie Wilson is Better than Solo Charlie Wilson. (And while he is the subject of this point, he has Always loved his first name.)

Even without the cryptic "Dumb B*tch" controversy, Piece of My Love is still about a man convincing his side chick to stay & wait for him. (And I do believe the cryptic controversy.)

Bonus:

Mumble Rap is the Death of the Genre. (Still trying to get a clear meaning of the song, Panda.)

And those are just a sample of my opinions of likes & dislikes.

Now, if you didn't agree with anyone of my opinions, change my mind. If my mind is changed, I'll Freely Hand You My Black Card. My Platform, My Rules. But I have a feeling anyone who reads this blog, will not fully disagree with me on All of my feelings.

Oh, I chose Keith Sweat. Radios & TV channels that ran videos may have played Boyz II Men too much, but at least they had the vocal capabilities to be heard by my ears.

You know what...I am posting This every week of June in the of 2022. So, Facebook & Twitter get ready.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Talk About It Tuesday (The Arm Squeeze)

And that is why I keep my hands to myself. You won't get a chance to say I'm sending mixed signals. No, No, Not Me!

Child... The update is They are Officially an Exclusive Couple. See what happens when you catch the clues & take the hints. Well, at least get help understanding them. LoL

Oh the email: C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!   

Emancipating Walmart From Capitalism & Tone Deaf Products

I would like to say Thank You to Blue Bell, Party City, and Old Navy for not being Walmart, today. I can admit I didn't have Juneteenth commemorative ice cream in Walmart freezers on my 2022 bingo card. If you are clueless about what I am speaking of go read the article HERE and come back.

On Twitter, I said I was hoping the red velvet & cheesecake flavored treat was a hoax. When I saw it before going to church service on Sunday, the pictures were from Reddit. Anybody can post to that platform. Walmart was silent until Monday evening. And well thanks to the apology, my hopes were dashed.

Dr. Opal Lee of Fort Worth, Texas, and others fought for Juneteenth to be made a Federal holiday so that others could celebrate and learn about when All Blacks in the United States received their freedom. It was not made into a holiday for corporate greed. 

Many warned about this very thing on social media when Juneteenth became an observance. Because we see all kinds of MLK, Presidents, and Memorial Day sales & party flyers that bastardized them. Walmart should have "read the room" and done true research on how they could use the corporation to help observe this day.

There are some pageants & parades that needed sponsors this year. Scholarships for black students always need funding & underwriters. The books on the shelves teaching about Juneteenth are needed. They should promote & advertise those items more. But no one, No One needs ice cream & paper streamers celebrating freedom.

I celebrate Juneteenth because I am fortunate to live in Texas and I always knew my freedom cost. Sadly, Walmart had to be embarrassed & humiliated to understand that they are not free to use a culture's story for monetary gain. Hope Target, Blue Bunny, Hallmark, and others see the example that was made. We are going to think differently on this New Day because money can Not be the Master.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Talk About It Tuesday (The Value of Value)

Yes, I send prayers up for the lady that was with the man when he died. It looks like that man took his last breath in her presence. I heard the 911 recording, whether she is a nurse or not, she was trying to get him help. She was trying to save him. And the gossip outlets had the nerve put her personal information out for us to see. So Yes, She is in My Prayers!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

BeSides The Meat (OUTSPOKEN Diva's Favorite Recipes)

I am Very Proud of that title.

Lemon-Marinated Vegetables 

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup olive oil or cooking oil 
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh basil
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 12 ounces baby carrots with tops, peeled and trimmed
• 2 red and/or yellow sweet peppers
• 1/2 pound mushrooms
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes

Directions

1. For the vinaigrette, combine oil, lemon juice, basil, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper in a screw-top jar. Cover and shake well. Set aside.
2. Cook green beans, covered, in a small amount of boiling water in a large saucepan for 4 minutes. Add carrots and cook, covered, for 8 minutes more or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
3. Cut shapes out of the sweet peppers, using a star-shaped cutter. Place the green beans, carrots, sweet peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes in a bag set in a large bowl. Pour vinaigrette over vegetables.
4. Seal the bag, and refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally to distribute vinaigrette.
5. To serve, bring to room temperature. Drain vegetables; arrange on a platter.

The Family's Potato Salad (Yes, My Family Recipe)

Ingredients

• 3 or 4 mid-sized Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 3 Tbsp. finely chopped dill pickles 
• 1/2 cup chopped white or yellow onion
• 2 stalks of celery, chopped
• 1 or 2 chopped scallions or green onions, including the greens
• 1-2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped 
• 1 medium carrot, shredded
• 1/2 red bell pepper, raw or roasted, chopped
• 1 (3.25 ounce) can sliced black olives
• 1 (7-oz.) jar pimiento-stuffed olives, drained and chopped
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise (or sandwich spread)
• 1/2 cup yellow mustard

Directions

1. Place peeled, cut potatoes in a large pot. Cover with an inch of water. Bring a pot of water to boil. Simmer for 10-20 minutes until just fork tender. Remove from pot. Let cool enough to handle, but still warm.
2. Put potatoes into a large bowl. Smash the potatoes. Add the finely chopped pickles themselves. Add onions, celery, scallions, hard-boiled eggs, carrots, and red bell pepper.
3. In a separate small bowl, mix mayonnaise with mustard. Mix in the dressing with the potato mixture.

Garden Pasta Salad 

Ingredients:

• 3 cups rotini 
• 1/3 cup ranch dressing
• 1/4 cup Italian dressing
• 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning, salt-free
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup diced yellow or red bell pepper, (1 small)
• 1 cup grated carrots, (2-4 carrots)
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions, (4 scallions)
• 1/2 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain and refresh under cold running water.
2. Whisk dressings and seasoning in a large bowl until smooth. Add the pasta and toss to coat. Add tomatoes, bell pepper, carrots, spinach, scallions, and olives; toss to coat well.
3. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

A Simple Fruit Salad

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
• 2 cups green grapes, halved
• 1 small cantaloupe, cut into chunks
• 2 firm bananas, sliced
• 1/3 cup fresh orange juice (100% orange juice)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the fruit.
2. Pour the juice over the fruit and toss to coat.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours and then stir just before serving.

Hope these help! Have Fun!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

That's Slow Too!!! (OUTSPOKEN_Diva's Favorite Recipes)

Yeah, I had the time, today.

Chicken Tetrazzini

Ingredients 

• 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders
• 1 package (8 oz) of sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 (10.75 oz) can condense cream of chicken soup
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup 1% milk
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 lb uncooked spaghetti
• 1/4 cup Italian cheese blend

Directions

1. Spray 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Add chicken, celery mushrooms, onion, garlic, and spices to the slow cooker.
2. Cover; cook on High heat setting for 3 to 4 hours.
3. Stir in milk, soup, broth, and cream cheese. Cover; cook 10 to 12 minutes or until cheese is melted.
4. Meanwhile, the cooked spaghetti is directed on the box. Drain; stir it & half of the cheddar cheese into the chicken mixture until well blended. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Slow Cooker Meatloaf

Loaf Ingredients 

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup diced white onion
• 1 cup diced red or green bell pepper
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
  
  
  
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 25 saltine crackers
• 2 lbs. 7% – 10% fat ground beef

Sauce Ingredients 

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. mustard

Directions

1. In a large bowl, add the eggs, onion, bell pepper, ketchup, milk, onion & garlic powders, and pepper. Crush the saltine crackers in next, and mix this all together with clean or gloved hands. Add the meat next, only mixing everything until it just comes together.
2. Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray, and shape the meat into a loaf on the bottom of the slow cooker. Your meatloaf should hold into a loaf form without falling apart. Add more crushed saltines if the mixture seems too wet.
3. Cover, and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, without opening the lid during cooking time.
4. Scoop out the fat with a spoon, and discard.
5. Mix together the sauce ingredients, and spoon over the meatloaf.
6. Cover and cook for 30 more minutes on LOW if you want the sauce heated. Serve and enjoy.

Slow & Easy Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients 

• 1  (14.5 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large carrot, sliced
• 1/2 cup frozen corn
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 4 russet potatoes, sliced
• 2 large zucchini, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (I used a 3-cheese blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and Colby jack)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the tomato sauce, Italian herb blend, salt, pepper, corn, peas, and carrots.
2. Spray the inside of your crockpot with non-stick cooking spray. Place a layer of potatoes on the bottom.  Cover the bottom, overlapping the potatoes a little.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Similarly, add a layer of zucchini and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Top with 1/3 of the tomato sauce and vegetable mixture.  On top of this, sprinkle with 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.
5. Repeat this two more times for a total of three layers.
6. Cook on high in your crockpot for 3 1/2-4 hours. 

And yeah, I was late to the party. But coming by and showing my face is what matters. Right? I mean look at what I brought to the soiree. LoL

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Talk About It Tuesday (Hold This Lesson)

Still upset dude was standing on her dress. Let's not make that a thing! I know that's a deflection. But I mean it.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!